The Great Divide. Brought to you by... Greed the dark side of Capitalism.

I have worked many jobs over the years... labor, customer service, sales, etc.

It seems that we used to value fairness and pride it what we produced or provided in business.  As the years have gone by I hear and observe less of that and more of..."The bottom Dollar", in other words profit.  Not just a reasonable profit, but profit driven by pure greed.

When I talk to people, it's the same thing.  They see it, feel it, wish it wasn't the way it is, but nobody knows how to change it.  The only ones that don't recognize it, (openly anyways) are those that have embraced money and greed.

It wasn't always like that, it used to be a reasonable profit was desired and the remaining profits were distributed among those that assisted in making that happen.  Raises for those that produced, sold or assisted in the process.  That way of doing business, that philosophy seems to be antiquated... Sadly !

So I reflect and ponder where we are as a society, a people and a country?

I also ask myself am I part of the problem, or part of the solution?

So when the elderly lady in the crowded parts store asks if anyone can change out her dead battery for her new one... and not one of the 20 men or 5 women offers any assistance.  Though I am dressed for my nieces birthday, I tell her I will help her.

We talk, she thanks me as I am removing the safety bar and wiper fluid... "Why are you helping me?"
I tell her, "Because it is the right thing to do."
She offers to give me money and I refuse, saying, "I am not doing this for money, I am doing it because we should always love, help and care for others.  Money as nothing to do with this."

We write books, movies, and sonnets about helping and loving one another.

Our faiths and religions all include it as a cornerstone.

Why is it something we romanticize, glorify but have such a hard time "doing" in everyday life with loved ones, friends and strangers?

Am I odd in my attitude and values?

Am I a throwback to an out dated time?

Other than taking the time to help others, make sure my values and priorities are proper, I can only write and share with others how I feel about these things.  Some will say I am unrealistic, or a dreamer. Oh well, maybe my dream will catch on and become contagious!

When there isn't such a huge difference between the "Haves and Have Nots", and the middle class is the majority, people are happier.  They act and behave more like a unit or family, with similar values and desires.  It seems like we are less selfish when we perceive we are more equal.  As far as I am concerned selfishness and greed perpetuate one another.

I see no way to stem the tide of Greed, division and derision, other that attempting to literally live our lives like the unselfish, caring and heroic lifestyle our movies and literature portray and glamorize.

So, I will continue to try to "Be" the person, the member of society, I believe is our hope and future. Rather than profess it, write of it, speak of it, or complacently sit on my ass revering it on the computer or big screen.  I will attempt to enact those values every day, assessing my priorities and values, not guiding my decisions on its monetary worth or value.

Let me know... am I delusional?  A dreamer?
Do you have the answer?
Can we stem the tide of greed?
Will it be our demise?
Your input is appreciated, as was your attentions to my musing.

OKC

When will we learn... bigotry is divisive and wrong?!

In early England, prisoners, landholders without title, those persecuted for their faith... left and came to America to escape that prejudice and bigotry.  Why?  Because its wrong and doesn't create, instead it destroys.

Then the Puritans decided to be holier than others and used the Scarlet letter... to label Adulterers.  We now realize, many of the accused were innocent victims, objects of scorn by wealthier or more influential people, or worse yet... wore the letter because they were "women" and a mans word carried more weight.  So sad, and a long overdue... "sorry ladies."

Let's examine the most glaring examples... Suffrage, or the Emancipation of the Blacks.
We still struggle, even with a black President of the United States.

We labeled, shunned and discriminated against the "Disabled", "Gays", we even recently began the bigotry towards those with HIV.
Luckily, we seemed to wake up a little and empathetically legislate and protect those who need understanding, equality and love.

Why can't we recognize our prejudice and bigotry when someone makes a mistake that has sex or a sexual aspect in the event?  It makes no sense considering our preoccupation with sex!  Our society glorifies sex, pushed the limits in every aspect, especially in the media and its idols.

Yet, whether its puppy love, sexting, urinating in public, viewing porn, dating miscommunication, solicitation, outdated moral objections to oral sex, or rape and all the many degrees and definitions of all of the crimes lumped into ... "a Sex Offense"!  We cringe and immediately label and view the person as either a Ted Bundy or a clinical child molesting pedophile.

The facts are out there.... the Ted Bundy's of the world are the exception, not the rule.  Only an extremely small percentage of "sex offenders" are clinically a true "pedophile!" Yet, we have lumped them all into a single registry and pass panacea laws based on fiction and the worst of the worst, not the majority of regular people with a single offense.

Sex offenders are not the heinous monsters the media, the ultra conservative, politicians, legislation and uneducated ignorant people believe they are.  Yet, we have let politicians looking for reelection pass bogus laws.
The media looking to cash in on a headline that goes viral, are chasing sensationalism rather than "Factual reporting"(be still Walter Cronkite)

Yet a few albeit "tragic" emotional events are the impetus to pass outrageous legislation that is destructive, inflammatory, non-factual and damn down right expensive annually, with no statistic or proof that demonstrates its effectiveness.

One limb on this multi branched tree of Registration, Penalties, Sentences, Treatments, Restrictions on Housing, working, is FTR (Failure to Report).  The article link here explains it better than I can.  It is written in lay person terms, by Experts in the field of Sex Offenders, treatment, and social behaviors.
I hope you will read it and take the time to reflect and ask yourself....

http://sajrt.blogspot.com/2013/06/failure-to-register-are-violations.html

Then ask yourself, has the emotional roller-coast run long enough?
Is it time to reflect and look at the big picture, examining this reasonably?

Then as a nation of individuals who....
... have always believed "people make mistakes" but history has shown us many...
have moved past the error and gone on to be "better" people, some very exceptional people.

Please believe as I do...
We don't throw away people or nor do we enable them,
but we do support their efforts towards towards, doing what is right and being responsible and productive members of American.

OKC
Advocate-RSOL-Utah

Magician saved my sight ! Eyeglass repaired extraordinaire !

Hey, I am rough... on glasses...

A typical guy... active... physical... and yes, sometimes clumsy !

I am hard on watches, phones, and definitely glasses !

Terry works at this store and I went to him about a year ago when I trashed the "temple" of my rimless glasses and needed them to be salvaged.  They were expensive, my only set... and I was a student with limited money.  

Well he managed to repair my glasses very reasonable and in one day.

 But that was before....  and nice....

But....Today...  was the miracle!

Those same glasses were lost 3 weeks ago....

When I found them yesterday... they had been smashed, run over and were mangled.  The lenses are pitted but not broken.  I was devastated! 

I asked what he could suggest... 

I only started working again on Monday... and won't have money for new glasses for months !

He asked for 5 minutes!  He would see what he could do !

I am wearing those same glasses right now ! 

Yeah the pits are in the lenses... 

But they fit, they are workable... 

And I am thrilled beyond... expression.

Terry was great, friendly and compassionate.

This is a small business, a neighborhood business and what customer service is all about !

So I felt compelled....

I wanted to share with my friends, neighbors and community... THIS GUY ROCKS... !

And I hope if you have the need....

You go talk to him... 

See what ..."Magic"... he might be able to do for you !

Thanks Again Terry !

You made my life .... and sight much better and easier.... for the next few months... 

Unless I lose or destroy them again... lol 

I  heartily... endorse....this business and this 

Great Eyeglass Magician !

Murray, just North of Fashion Place Mall, next to the west corner on 6100 South.  125 E.  6100 South, SLC, UT 84107

(801) 266-6004

Praise for a unique neighborhood place to enjoy family friendly cuisine !

Hey Neighbors,
Want some interesting and delicious food?  Bakery and Brews.. has the Flavor !  


Friday August 12th, I stopped in for a Huge Bowl of Clam Chowder that was replete with Clams... no skimping at this place.... It was creamy and seasoned just right, and comes with a nice garlic toast on the side.


I was also entertained by two interesting and talented open mic night guitarists.  One Charles Matheny who is traveling across country from Virginia to Los Angeles, CA !  He is hitting all the open mic places along the way.. says it is great fun !  He has a unique sound and plays a darn good harmonica along with his acoustic guitar.


Also was Mike Avila who does a prerecorded backup of his own music as accompaniment where he plays base, rhythm and lead and sings his own back up.  Its interesting and pretty good !  All he needs is a good mixer to accentuate his lead vocals and tone down his backup and he will be on his way...  
Watch out America's Got Talent !  lol  He does seem to have potential !


My final word is that this is a cute, fun, comfortable place to have a Latte, a smoothie or a chia tea.  The food is very tasty, nice portions and reasonably priced.  The owners, a husband and wife team are friendly, kind and about giving a really relaxing experience.


Many specialty foods such as empanadas, soups, and Fantastic Pastries, etc., with a Uruguayan flare !
If nothing else this place is a must ... visit just for the Flan !  Omg !  I am addicted !  lol


Enjoy and Support this super friendly family business in Your Neighborhood..... Today...or tomorrow !


OK
OKinMedia